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Benker Family History

Benker Surname Meaning

German:: occupational name for a carpenter from Middle High German banc ‘bench’ + -er agent suffix.

Habitational name for someone from a place called Benk of which there are several examples in Bavaria.

It can also refer to individuals from either of two places in Switzerland named Benken in Basel and Zurich cantons.

The name reflects the profession of craftsmanship, specifically related to woodworking.

In summary, the name has both occupational and geographical significance.

Source: Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022


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Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Benker family from?

You can see how Benker families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Benker family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Benker families were found in USA in 1920. In 1911 there were 2 Benker families living in British Columbia. This was 100% of all the recorded Benker's in Canada. British Columbia had the highest population of Benker families in 1911.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Benker surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Benker ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Farmer and Housekeeper were the top reported jobs for men and women in the USA named Benker. 29% of Benker men worked as a Farmer and 22% of Benker women worked as a Housekeeper. Some less common occupations for Americans named Benker were Carpenter and Clerk.

View Census Data for Benker | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, Canada data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Farmer
    29%
  • Laborer
    18%
  • Machinist
    6%
  • Carpenter
    6%

Top Female Occupations In 1940

  • Housekeeper
    22%
  • Stenographer
    22%
  • Servant
    16%
  • Clerk
    11%

What Benker family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 4,000 census records available for the last name Benker. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Benker census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Benker

Passenger Lists

There are 1,000 immigration records available for the last name Benker. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Benker immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 2,000 military records available for the last name Benker. For the veterans among your Benker ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Benker military records

You've only scratched the surface of Benker family history

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What is the average Benker lifespan?

Between 1945 and 2004, in the United States, Benker life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1990, and highest in 1975. The average life expectancy for Benker in 1945 was 67, and 73 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Benker

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Benker ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

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